State of Emergency - Winter Storm

The City of Hendersonville is ending the Winter Storm Fern State of Emergency on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 6:00 PM. This also removes the dusk-to-dawn curfew, although residents are advised to remain cautious when traveling as many roads remain icy. 

Termination of City of Hendersonville State of Emergency


WHEREAS, on January 24, 2026, a state of emergency was declared for the City of Hendersonville as a result of the National Weather Service having issued a Winter Storm Watch/Warning for the City, beginning on January 24, 2026; and

WHEREAS, Winter Storm Fern did arrive, resulting in downed trees, power outages and hazardous travel conditions for which the declaration of a state of emergency allowed the City of Hendersonville to take measures to address all of the foregoing conditions as necessary; and

WHEREAS, I, as Mayor have adjudged that conditions have now returned to a state of safety for which the declared state of emergency is not longer required;

NOW, THEREFORE, by the power vested in me by the State of North Carolina and pursuant to the City Code of Ordinances, Section 36-182, I, Barbara G. Volk, Mayor of the City of Hendersonville do hereby declare that the state of emergency placed into effect as of 8am on Saturday, January 24, 2026, shall expire at 6:00 p.m. today, January 27, 2026, and following such time, the proclamation declaring the state of emergency and all prior proclamations declaring a state of emergency shall also expire and have no force and effect. All prior restrictions (including the curfew) enacted by all prior state of emergency proclamations for the City of Hendersonville shall also expire and have no force and effect as of 6:00 p.m. today.

Done this 27th day of January, 2026.

Barbara G. Volk, Mayor

View the Termination of the State of Emergency

City of Hendersonville State of Emergency

WHEREAS, the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch/Warning for the City, beginning on January 24, 2026. This winter storm is predicted to include an accumulation of up to one inch of ice in addition to freezing rain and sleet accumulations, all of which could result in downed trees, power outages and hazardous travel conditions for which the declaration of a state of emergency will trigger the ability to take measures to address all of the foregoing conditions as necessary; and

WHEREAS, on January 24, 2026, a state of emergency is being declared by the City of Hendersonville Mayor Barbara G. Volk to exist under N.C.G.S. § 166A-19.22, and as authorized by Hendersonville Code of Ordinances Chapter 36, Article V, Division 2, and;

WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina has vested in the City Council and, where so ordained, the Mayor the power to issue such proclamations and any subsequent proclamations that may restrict movement and other actions during declared emergencies; and

WHEREAS, I, as Mayor have adjudged it practical and expedient because of existing circumstances to declare an emergency and issue such a proclamation; and

NOW, THEREFORE, by the power vested in me by the State of North Carolina and pursuant to the City Code of Ordinances, Section 36-182, I, Barbara G. Volk, Mayor of the City of Hendersonville do hereby declare that a state of emergency is in effect as of 8am on Saturday, January 24, 2026, and proclaim the effectiveness of emergency procedures as follows:

  1. This state of emergency is declared by the City of Hendersonville.
  2. The state of emergency shall be in effect beginning at 8:00 AM on the 24th day of January.
  3. Pursuant to the authority of N.C.G.S. § 166A-19.31 and Section 36-184 of the Hendersonville City Code of Ordinance, I hereby impose a curfew of 8pm upon all inhabitants on the City for Saturday, January 24, 2026, said curfew to be in effect until dawn the following day. Further, beginning Sunday, January 25, 2026, and continuing each day thereafter until revoked I hereby impose a curfew from dusk until dawn the following day.  All curfews imposed pursuant to this Proclamation shall restrict and prevent the presence and movement of people in public places, and shall restrict and prevent the presence and movement of all persons on and about all public and private streets, and public vehicular areas; provided however that such curfew shall not restrict the following:
    1. Law enforcement personnel in carrying out their lawful duties.
    2. City and volunteer fire department personnel in the performance of their lawful duties.
    3. All City and other publicly employed emergency personnel acting in an emergency management capacity in managing emergency response, and in otherwise responding to the impacts of the winter storm and other emergencies in the City.
    4. Utilities personnel (water, sewer, electric, telecommunications, gas, and any public utility provider) in the performance of their job-related duties, including but not limited to the repair and restoration of utility services.
    5. Emergency medical personnel and first responders in the performance of their duties.
    6. Other volunteers, City personnel, or other persons designated to act in an emergency management capacity by the City Police, City Fire, Public Works personnel, City Manager, Deputy City Manager, or Assistant City Manager to respond to the impacts of the winter storm or other emergencies in the City.
    7. Personnel employed by a medical facility, such as a hospital or urgent care center, traveling to and from work.
    8. Persons traveling to and from work.
    9. Persons traveling to, or transporting another person to, a medical facility to obtain medical services.
  1. The state of emergency covers the municipal boundaries of the City of Hendersonville, as well as all City-owned properties and facilities.
  1. The City Manager is hereby authorized to take necessary actions and expend City funds to protect City facilities and the health, safety and welfare of Hendersonville citizens. 
  1. All special event permits are hereby revoked until the end of the state of the state of emergency. 
  1. The state of emergency is in effect until rescinded by the Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem.
  1. The City Clerk and other persons designated by me are hereby directed to disseminate this declaration to Henderson County Emergency Management Coordinator, the press and other news media and upon electronic distribution media controlled by the City of Hendersonville.

Done this 23rd day of January, 2026.

Barbara G. Volk, Mayor

View the official state of emergency document